Racing trolley-track.



No. 638,720. Patented Dec. 12, I899. C. W. HUTGHINSUN.

RACING TROLLEY TRACK.

(Application filed Mar. 18, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 sheets-Sheet l.

No -$38,720. Patented Dec; l2, I899.

c. w. HUTGHINSON RACING THULLEY TRACK.

(Application filed Km. 18, 1899.)

,(Ho Model.) 3 Sheets-Shut 3.

Q/\ 1% Z I l m fix k 95 4 "m: Noam: miss :0, PHOYO LITHO.. \wsama'rou D c NITED STATES PATENT Qrrlcn.

CHARLES \V. HUTCHINSON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RACING TROLLEY-TRACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 638,720, dated December 12, 1899.

Application filed March 18, 1899. Serial No. 709,636. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. HUTOHIN- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Racing Trolley-Tracks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a racing-track of the kind hereinafter described for use at watering-places and other popular resorts for the pleasure and en joyment of frequenters at such resorts.

The invention relates to a continuous elevated and inclined track or tracks, especially to a series of such tracks when arranged to form inner and outer tracks over which passenger-carryin g trolleys are adapted to travel by gravity; and it consists, generally stated, in a starting-point or point of greatest elevation, of an inner and shorter track of such series of less height than that of an outer track; also, in arranging an outer and next inner track in converging pairs, whereby they will run in near proximity to each other duringa considerable part of their circuit; also, in means for preventing the starting of a trolley on one track of a converging pair until the started trolleyon the other track has obtained such headway that liability of collision where the tracks run close together will be avoided; also, in means for stopping and holding a trolley and its suspended load on the elevating incline till the trolley is connected to the elevating device, and also in devices for rais ing the trolleys and their suspended loads from a lower part of the track to the startingpoint or point of greatest elevation, all substantially as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

A form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top view of a series of six tracks arranged in circuit and forming inner and outer tracks. Fig. 2 is a side elevation illustrating a single track, its supports, trolley, and suspended passenger-carrier and raising devices. Fig. 3 is a side View of one of the trolleys on the incline leading to the point of greatest elevation, trolley-stop, and raising devices. Figs. 4 and 5 are detailed side and upper edge views of trolley-stop. Fig. 6 shows detailed views of track, trolley, and suspending-rod. Fig. 7 is a plan view of track-blocking devices. Fig. 8 is a sectional view of track-blocking devices through the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the blocking devices through the line 9 9 of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a cross-section through the line 10 10 of Fig. 1 to show different heights of the inner and outer tracks at or near their points of greatest elevation.

In the drawings, A represents an elevated inclined track or tracks, which, as shown in Fig. 1, are six in number, arranged in three pairs, the tracks of each pair converging from the point of their greatest elevation B, which may be considered the starting-point,till they come into close proximity with each other at the respective points 0. 'When the tracks are arranged in series as outer and inner tracks, as shown in Fig. 1, it follows, as each track completes a circuit, that by bringing two or more tracks into close proximity with each other and retaining them in such relation during a half or more of their circuit the space required for the apparatus or plant can be considerably lessened over what would be required provided the tracks were at a distance apart throughout their entire circuit which would permit the trolleys and their loads to travel side by side without liability of interference with each other. The tracks may be located within a building or under a roof or canopy and should be sufficiently elevated so that the devices for carrying the passengers or riders will clear the ground or floor. The tracks are also inclined sufficiently so that the trolleys which run over them and sustain the carrying devices will descend the tracks under the influence of gravity from the points of their greatest elevation and will re-- points of greatest elevation to the points of their return at or near the foot of such elevation, or for the purpose of producing a pleasing variety of motion they may be provided with a number of gradual rises and falls,'as shown in Fig. 2 and indicated by ct and b. The tracks may be of any suitable material and be supported by any means which will permit the trolleys to run readily throughout their length.

In case several tracks are arranged as outer and inner tracks, as shownin Fig. 1, the inner tracks will generally be shorter than the outer ones, and as it maybe desirable for the fuller enjoyment and excitement of the race that the trolleys should make the circuit of the tracks in about the same period of time the points of greatest elevation of the inner and shorter tracks may be sufliciently less than those of the longer ones to compensate for the difference in their lengths. This construction is illustrated in Fig. 10, where the heightsvof the different pairs of tracks at or near their points of greatest elevation (the inner tracks being shown on the left-hand side of said figure) are less than those of the outer tracks. Vhen the tracks are not arranged in converging pairs, each inner track may be of less height than its adjacent enter one.

A trolley H, adapted to run on the tracks and provided with devices suspended therefrom for carrying the passengers or riders, is shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 6 of the drawings; As there shown, it consists of a V-shaped frame a, in which two wheels dare journaled, the wheels being properly grooved to fit the track and run easily thereon. lower part of the trolley-frame c is a rod I, to the lower end of which are attached devices for carrying the passengers or riders, as a dummy horse J or any other animal or a car or other carrying device.

The means shown in the drawings for raising the trolley and its suspended weight up the incline K to the point B of greatest elevation consists of an endless sprocket-chain or belt L, passing over sprocket-wheels M M, one of which is positively driven, the chain being arranged to run substantially parallel with the incline. As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the connection between the chain L and the trolley H consists in a projection N, attached to the chain, and a projection 0, attached to the trolley-frame 0, so arranged relatively that the projections are brought in contact with each other and so remain until the trolley is thus raised to the point of greatest elevation. It is desirable that the contact-faces of the projections N and 0 be plain and smooth, so that there shall be no positive interlocking between the chain and trolley to prevent the free movement of the faces of the projections upon each other to effect the gradual uncoupling of the trolley from the chain when the trolley reaches the point of greatest elevation. This construction affords Pivoted to the a simple and efficient means for automatically connecting and disconnecting the moving chain or belt with the trolley for the purposes described, since the projections N and O can be fixedly secured to the chain and trolleyframe, respectively, so that no other movement of the projections will be required except that given them by the parts to which they are secured, and devices to give movements to the projections or to one of them relatively to the parts to which they are secured are thus avoided. ries of tracks, as shown in Fig. 1, it is desirable to have a raising or elevating chain for each track; but the sprocket-wheels for all the chains may be attached to a single shaft P, which may be driven by a pulley P.

The inclination of the tracks is preferably such that the momentum of the trolley and its suspended weight will on its return to the incline K carry it some distance up such incline, and it is desirable to provide some means to retain the trolley in such position until it can be connected with the chain-as, for instance, by the contact of the projection N on the chain with the projection O on the trolley. For this purpose a stop is provided whose normal position is above the track, but which is capable of being depressed by the passage of the trolley, so that it can run over the stop and then the stop can return to its normal position and block the trolley. As shown in Figs. 3, 4:, and 5 of the drawings, a stop Q is pivoted to the track, so that it will in its normal position rise above the tread of the track, the stop being controlled by a spring S, secured at one of its ends to the wall of a recess R in the track, while its other end presses against the edge of the stop to keep and retain it in its raised position. hen the trolley passes over the upper edge of the stop,its weight depresses the stop against the stress of the spring and forces it into the recess R, thereby bringing its upper edge into substantially the same plane with that of the track. As soon as the trolley has passed over the length of the stop the stop is thrown up into its normal position by its spring and its forward end forms a block or obstruction to prevent the backward movement of the trolley. The stop is preferably provided with a tongue T, taking into a groove in the track to keep the stop in proper alinement.

It is readily seen that by the use of a raising device of the construction described the trolley when brought to rest on the incline K can be automatically coupled to the chain L, and when it has been drawn up to the top of the incline it can also be automatically uncoupled therefrom.

To prevent the liability of collision between the trolleys or their suspended passenger-carrying devices when two tracks are arranged in close proximity, as shown in Fig. 1, devices are provided for automatically blocking and unblocking one of the tracks near its startingpoint, whereby a trolley cannot start on such In the case of a se-,

track until a trolley on the other track of the pair has gained su'fficientheadway to obviate the liability of collision. This construction is specially shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 of the drawings, in which U is a lever pivoted midway of its length at e to a cross-piece f of a suitable frame, the lever-arms being of the proper length and preferably provided with end slots g to fit over the tread of the tracks and so constructed and arranged that when one of the arms is in contact with the track the other is raised sufficiently to permit the trolley to pass under it. Each arm of the lever U is connected through a pin-and-slot connection with links h, which in turn are pivotally connected to the rear end of connecting-rods i, which at their other ends are pivoted to levers j, which in turn are pivoted to their respective tracks, so that the free ends of the levers will rise above the tread of their tracks when the levers are in a vertical position. By the operation of this device one track of a pair is blocked until a trolley on the other track has passed over the free end of a leverj, which projects above the track, causing such lever to be depressed and operate the lever U to open the first-named track and block the second one, thus avoiding col-' lision by preventing a trolley from starting on a blocked track until a trolley on the other track has passed the operating-point of the blocking-lever and gained the desired headway.

It is considered that the tracks when arranged in series should generally be from five to six feet apart where it is intended that the trolleys and passenger-carrying devices of different tracks shall run side by side. Of course this will depend largely on the lateral dimensions of such carrying devices. It is evident that the length of the tracks may be limited only by the extent of the space on which they are located and the height to which they must be raised in order that the trolleys may be returned by gravity near to their starting-point.

It is not intended to limit this invention to a series of tracks or to their arrangement in any special manner or to the use of any special construction of trolleys or of passengercarrying devices, inasmuch as the principle of this invention is included in a single inclined elevated track arranged in circuit in combination with a trolley constructed to travel over such track by gravity and provided with passenger-carrying devices suspended from the trolley.

lVhat is claimed as new is 1. In a series of inner and outer elevated inclined trolley-tracks, arranged in circuit, an inner track having a less elevation at its starting-point, or point of greatest elevation, than that of an outer track or tracks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, in a series of inner and outer elevated inclined trolley-tracks arranged in circuit, of inner and outer converged tracks and means for automatically blocking one of the tracks at or near its starting-point and unblocking the other, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, in a series ofinner and outer elevated inclined trolley-tracks arranged in circuit, of a lever, as U, constructed and arranged to operate upon two adja cent tracks and means for operating such lever by the weight of the trolley and its load, whereby one of the tracks will be blocked and the other unblocked for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, in two adjacent elevated inclined trolley-tracks, a lever, as U, arranged to operate upon both tracks, a lever, as j, normally projecting above the unblocked track and suitable connections between the levers U and j, whereby, as the leverj is forced downward by the passage of-the trolley, the lever U will be operated to block one of the tracks and unblock the other.

5. The combination, in an elevated gravity-operated trolley-track arranged in circuit and having an incline, as K, leading to the starting-point or point of greatest elevation, of a stop, as Q, pivoted to the track, a recess, as R, formed in the track, and a spring, as S,

constructed and operating to raise and normally hold the stop above the tread of the track and permit it to be depressed in the recess to the level of the track by the weight of the trolley and its load, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination, in an elevated trolleytrack arranged in circuit and having an incline leading to its starting-point or point of greatest elevation, of an endless chain or belt running substantially parallel with the incline, means for operating the same, a projection as N, immovably attached to such chain and a projection, as O, immovably attached to the trolley, such projections being provided with plain smooth contact-surfaces, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

CHARLES XV. HUTOHINSON.

In presence of- JESSIE B. KAY, ALEXANDER MIToHELL.

IIO 

